New Delhi: The resurgence of polio in parts of India could be attributed, among other factors, to faulty storage of the vaccine: now an Indian scientist has invented a solar vaccine cooler for use in rural areas, where electricity supply may be erratic.

SolarChill, a vaccine cooler developed by Rajendra Shende under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), promises to be a viable and eco-friendly solution which replaces the lead batteries and the ozone depleting chloroflurocarbons used in conventional refrigerators.

Paris-based Mr. Shende, who is the head of the UNEP's OzonAction Branch, is here to deliver two units of SolarChill to its first Indian customer — President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Mr. Kalam proposes to install them at the clinic in the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex.

"SolarChill does not use lead batteries or kerosene as in conventional solar chillers. Instead, we use the sun's energy to create a thick layer of ice which helps in maintaining temperature in the cooler between minus 2 degrees and 8 degrees," Mr. Shende said.

He hit upon the idea during his travels in Burkina Faso in 2000. "I thought that if we could develop a vaccine cooler that uses the solar energy so abundant in Burkina Faso and other developing countries, it would be a boon for vaccination programmes implemented there," he said.

Mr. Shende said he thought of an affordable, eco-friendly version of solar coolers as he was already working with World Health Organisation (WHO) on ozone depletion.

"As the lead batteries are toxic, difficult to carry, and need replacement every three to five years, we decided to utilise to create ice box within the refrigerator that will provide the required insulation even at night," he said. Even without sunshine, it can sustain itself for four to five days.

He said the cooling unit did not use regular freon-based chemicals, which deplete ozone and add to global warming. One unit can serve the vaccine needs of some 50,000 people. The units will be available for commercial manufacture by 2007.

The idea was taken up by UNEP, UNICEF, WHO, the Danish Technological Institute, Greenpeace, and others.. Some refrigeration companies took part in its development, which took place in Senegal, Indonesia and Cuba. — PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail